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There's some good stuff out next week, new creative teams on Thor and Hulk, Michael Lark and David Aja on Secret Avengers, the start of Hickman's big 'Three' storyline on Fantastic Four and of course, Garrison #6!

I love Machinesmith, having this character as the main villain gave this issue the same feeling I remember from back in the day reading a really well written Mark Gruenwald story. I personally consider that to be a high compliment. In the conversation between Machinesmith and Rogers, artist Dale Eaglesham fully utilized the stranger aspects of the villain's anatomy. Its always fun to see Machinesmith with arms and head extended and Eaglesham obviously realizes this and gave me exactly what I wanted.

The best part of this issue was the fight between Rogers and the two Super Soldier Serum powered thugs. The fight itself wasn't anything special, but Brubaker smartly juxtaposed it with panels of a young Steve Rogers in a fight with a bunch of kids in the 30s. The point of this is very clear -- Steve Rogers, the man, is more than just the Super Soldier Serum. The result is a fight that is elevated well beyond where it would have been without the 30s panels.

My only problem, with this issue is the character of Anita. The writing around her I've found to be a little flat and after three issues I still can't say I care anything about her. She's an important plot point, but not a character I care to read about. Its such a minor compliant that covers a total of five pages of this issue, so its nothing that even came close to ruining my enjoyment.

8 out of 10

Last edited by Stephen Day on Sat Sep 18, 2010 4:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Steve Rogers may not be Captain America anymore but he is still a Super Solider. And its not because of no serum. Machinesmith may have deactivated the super solider serum in his blood but Steve is Jack Bauer level bad ass. someone said that they would read a Steve Rogers ongoing, and I totally agree. Steve Rogers is far more interesting when he is out of the uniform, he can stop just being Captain America World War II hero, and he gets to be Steve Rogers. This was also my first exposure to machinesmith, and I very much want a series where we could see Steve go up against some of his classic foes that haven't been seen in years. Eaglesham art was fantastic as usual. He very much fits for Steve. artists have it very easy with me, I can't draw worth a darn so I immidately respect that they can. if the art fits and allows me to flow through the story and almost forget I am turning the page and reading a comic, a job well done.

thefourthman wrote:There is expert storytelling here for sure. The juxtaposition between Steve’s past and his present is handled with great skill and creates a fantastic read. It’s compelling and interesting.Here’s the thing though… first of all, I don’t buy Steve’s ability. Sure training is a factor, but the sudden removal of weight and muscle would not only disorient him but cause massive problems with his abilities. I would have to assume that things would be very similar to severe atrophy at that point. It’s the kind of thing that hurts suspension of disbelief – no longer do I believe what could be going on. And it’s a hard thing to point to, because it is possible that Rogers could take the bad guys by surprise, I just don’t believe that the stamina needed would exist in the situation.It’s a nitpick for sure, but one that hurt my enjoyment of an otherwise solid issue.The art is another matter. Machinesmith is meant to be creepy with his head turning around and the limbs and head extending like Inspector Gadget. It’s not though, some of it is being desensitized… some of it is Eaglesham. He is a quality artist. He has a strong narrative sense. However, since his work on Fantastic Four there is some weirdness to it, especially once Steve is back to his full Super Soldier strength, he ends up looking like he is Captain America on steroids. This is especially odd given the way Rogers views the monsters that Machinesmith has created.It’s an odd book that is amazing in its strengths and held back by its weaknesses. In the end, it’s a wash and as much as it pains me, an average book – even with its creative pedigree.Story 3Art 3Overall 6

I disagree with you about that fight scene. There's one panel in which he's throwing a kick and for the rest of the fight he's using either a shotgun or improvised weapons to give himself an advantage. Its not like he's pounding them with his fists.

Stephen Day wrote:I disagree with you about that fight scene. There's one panel in which he's throwing a kick and for the rest of the fight he's using either a shotgun or improvised weapons to give himself an advantage. Its not like he's pounding them with his fists.

That's kind of my point though. It isn't just throwing kicks. He was a weakling, would he be able to not only swing the fire extinguisher with enough force or enough accuracy to hurt one of these roided out guys?

I'm unsure. I don't know. But the excuse in the book is his training and his training would be a factor but muscle memory for muscles that aren't there is highly unlikely. I have no doubt he would attempt to attack them and that his training would make him more effective than a normal human in that position, I just don't know how effective he would be against these guys.

thefourthman wrote:That's kind of my point though. It isn't just throwing kicks. He was a weakling, would he be able to not only swing the fire extinguisher with enough force or enough accuracy to hurt one of these roided out guys?

I'm unsure. I don't know. But the excuse in the book is his training and his training would be a factor but muscle memory for muscles that aren't there is highly unlikely. I have no doubt he would attempt to attack them and that his training would make him more effective than a normal human in that position, I just don't know how effective he would be against these guys.